FRIDAY 080711
Rest Day Seminar: Rowing
Technique, skill practice, optional WOD.
Happy birthday to not only a great member of the Black Box, but also a recent Level-1 certified CF trainer and one of the driving forces behind the revitalization of our Brooklyn space, Jeff!
The land before CrossFit
"Flavor, in Italian dishes, builds up from the bottom. It is not a cover, it is a base."
Intermittent fasting, stress, and anxiety
Enough with the bullsh*t excuses: Demons OUT!
REST DAY DISCUSSION #13 by Hari Singh
What do people really experience when they watch a great female athlete perform? Typically, we can only speculate, like the author of this New York Times article on Dara Torres, 41, who has just made the woman's US Olympic Swim Team: "It is as if [the mothers and aunts in the audience] are looking at her and seeing a vision of middle age that society has long been blind to: the matron as a model."
But of course, the author doesn't really know what the mothers and aunts (or the fathers and uncles) are thinking.
On Monday, CrossFit.com posted a video of a fourteen-year-old female athlete during an extraordinary display of athleticism and determination. We don't need to speculate on the audience's reaction to this athlete. It's all posted to the comments:
- I was standing about 10 ft. from her during the WOD. It was one of the most powerful things, both physically and emotionally that I have ever had the privilege to be present for. (#18)
- I have tears running down my face...simply amazing! (#28)
- Holy crap Kallista!!! I was cheering at my laptop near the end and gave a Tiger Woods arm pump after the last one. Damn! (#33)
- One of the most powerful, inspiring videos I've ever seen. Get me some tissues. (#36)
- I only wish I could have been there. Kallista Pappas' performance rivaled Nicole's performance in 'Nasty Girls.' She displayed the toughness and intensity that seperates elite athletes from all others. The dilema now is if that video will inpsire or crush the spirits of 20-something men everywhere. I, for one, was inspired. (#37)
- I'm sitting here in tears right now. That kid is my hero. (#39)
- I wonder how many boys in her class can clean and jerk 100 pounds ONE time. (#40)
- After she fell backward not only did she land hard but the barbell nailed her shins-then she appears to be shaking it off and squating to get ready for the next reps! That girl has heart! (#50)
- Kallista, YOu are an amazing. Your determination was awesome to watch! You Rock! (#55)
- I have A 13 year old daughter so I have a great reference point Watching Kallista got me choked up. (#56)
- Kallista: I'm 25. College football. Rugby. Military. Rodeo. ... I used to think I was tough. You are tough. (#57)
- That girl's heart is bigger than my liver. Such a great experience seeing her gut through that workout. (#58)
- I must say this girl was freaking awesome. I was standing front and center watching her scream out those last few reps. It was absolutely incredible. I wish I had half the heart that she does. (#70)
- There were many great moments this weekend, but none better than while I was timing Calista on the C&J. Simply one of the most inspiring moments of my life. After jerking her 23rd rep, she fell backwards and I couldn't catch it in time and the bar fell on her legs. Visibly hurt, she got up, dug in and finished like a true champion. I had tears in my eyes the last 10 reps and could barely count. (#75)
- Kallista: your effort transcends greatness. Truly awe-inspiring. (#76)
- Amazing performance by Kallista, of course, but I was even more impressed by how this crowd - her competitors included - got behind her and cheered her through each and every rep. Catch the moment at 3:46 where Jolie "Tough Love" Gentry is wiping her eyes. I wasn't there, but I assume that she was so touched by the moment that she started crying. Show me many other competitions where your competitors will cheer you on and then shed tears at your performance. (#78)
- Kallista...you are one of the most inspiring athletes I have ever known. (#82)
- Mr. Pappas - My hat's off to you. You and your wife deserve a round of applause. As a father of 4 daughters, I know it ain't easy. But it sure is satisfying like nothing else when they turn out right.(#91)
- I can't believe that you can clean 100 pounds! I might do weight lifting when i'm tall enough and old enough. for now I do crossfit with my mom. (#96)
- As soon as I can get the tears out of my eyes I'm going to show that video of Kallista to my daughters. (#102)
- Nicole in nasty girls has inspired me for the last three years since seeing it. Your video will inspire me for years more (#104)
- Thanks for making a grown man cry. (#108)
- I bow down to Kallista, amazing work. (#115)
- that video brought tears to my eyes. i guess because it was a girl trying to do something great and it made me think of what i want for my own daughter. (#121)
- Your performance will go down in the books as one of the most inspirational and touching moments in CF history. Well done! A performance that, as my children grow, I will make them watch over and over again. (#123)
- Kallista, you are a star! I don't think I've ever been as moved emotionally from watching a vid. I, too, had tears rolling down my cheeks. (#134)
- Thank you for showing what true determination and strength is. (#172)
- You proved that the human spirit is unbreakable. (#196)
- There were proud tears running down this serious, military guys's cheeks watching that video of Kallista. You are truly inspiring. I screamed out loud when that bar came down on your shins. It would have been an amazing performance without that, but seeing you rebound from that just made it more impressive. That video will stick with me for years. (#203)
- You are one of my new heroes (#205)
- Kallista- Darling girl, you are a delight to my life. Thank you for your amazing inspiration. I never ever cry, and can hardly even flinch, no matter what goes down. You shook something out my soul, and had me in tears and joy as I watched you. I was mesmerized by your soul, as it battled against the bar and imposed your unbreakable will over it. I am still hoarse voiced from screaming for you as you struggled and endured. . . . If I was ever to have been a mother, I would have wanted you for my daughter. (#209)
- Watching you do the C&J's gave me goosebumps. I have never in my life seen such a display of fire, determination and focus. . . . You inspire the athlete in all of us - watching you makes us dig a little deeper even when we feel there is nothing left. (#215)
- I was there and saw her do it but seeing it again actually started the tear ducts going. Then I looked over at my 11mo old, scarfing her breakfast down and told her that she can do ANYTHING she puts her mind to. (#230)
- Goose bumps and tears flowing, Kallista, you are an amazing young woman. Thank you for the inspiration. (#233)
- I wish you were on my wrestling team. You could show my boys what intensity means. (#241)
- Kallista, amazing. It was a joy to watch, didn't know why I was crying but evidently a lot of other people felt the same way. Thank you for the inspiration. (#245)
- Kallista is the true hero from this event...worth every mile from Texas to see this! (#258)
- I hope I'm man enough to inspire my daughter to be like that. (#264)
- My neighbor came over to make sure that I was okay. I didn't know that I was screaming for you and rooting you on. (#270)
- Kallista~ You are the epitome of an athlete! (#280)
- An amazing, singular feat of strength, stamina and will. I humbly stand in awe. (#346)
- The video was amazing: There's always going to be someone faster/stronger than me, but I can aspire to the intensity, focus, and bravery that Kallista showed. (#399)
- I was at a loss for words....valor...that's the word. (#459)
- My 7 yo daughter, who does CossFit Kids, watched the video with me and said, "I hope I can be like Kallista one day!" I smiled, hugged her, and said, "I hope so too, honey, I hope so too!" As the father of 3 daughters, I could learn a lot from Kallista's parents, who apparently have 4, and obviously are doing something right!! (#514)
- When I saw the video this am before work I was almost in tears to see this much grit and determination from such a young lady. . . . I immediately sent this off to my six kids ranging from 48 to 19, they are real winners and I knew they would love to see another winner in action. (#527)
- This is 2 years in a row that you have moved me to tears. I am so proud of you, not just for your how you compete but for how you conduct yourself outside the competition arena. (#576)
- I was in the ring when Kallista went to that place after judging another competitor. I turned to my fellow judge . . . to say "where does it come from?" Kallista, 48 year old men can have 14 year old heroes. I also judged the C&J event for the Games' oldest competitor, Jacinto from the Black Box in NYC. 4 reps left with 2:00 remaining, recovering from surgery, and he rocked them out in 1:30. Right in front of me. "Where does it come from?" The hair on the back of my neck stands up still, each time I run that image back. (#579)
- Showed my daughters (6, 4) the video this afternoon. They talked about Kallista all day and at dinner. They just wanted to watch women do the Girls' WODs all night. Thanks for the inspiration. (#650)
- Kallista, your performance was totally inspiring!! (#708)
- What an amazing video. My girls (7 & 9) loved watching it too. Thanks for being a great inspiration Kallista! (#729)
- Kalista's performance was one of the most awe inspiring demonstrations of heart, courage and strength I have EVER witnessed. I am humbled, stunned and re-motivated in both my training and my coaching. (#749)
- Kallista - Fantastic work. Young women like you are terrific role models for girls like my six year old daughter. I love being able to show her movies of other physically fit women to give her something to aspire to. (#755)
- Kallista, wish I had half the heart you have shown. (#786)
- Kalista, You are one amazing woman! This video made me so choked up that my son had to console me! Your drive, focus and determination to succeed is breathtaking. Like I said when I met you at the games - you ARE my hero!! (#789)
Happy Birthday Jeff!
What's the status on the move to the larger space? Is that still scheduled for September? Did you guys get the permit?
Why does my computer say that our posts are by Allison Bojarskion and Sam Foldon?
Happy birthday Jeff!
Per the above, I’m sorry, but some of these quotes are appalling. For Pete's sake this girl is LIFTING WEIGHTS!!! The hero talk, the video causing multiple people to weep, the "If I was ever to have been a mother, I would have wanted you for my daughter"... People on the blog are just as adept at rampant and uncontrollable hyperbole and exaggeration as they are burpees.
Cops, firemen, military, single mothers struggling to feed a family, volunteers working with the underprivileged: heroes. Folks doing a WOD: people. We’re all just working out here – some of the above is just plain disrespectful to folks risking their neck for others on a daily basis.
Happy birthday Jeff!!
Fred,
We don't expect to be in the new space before the end of the year. We have strated the legal process, which should take about six months.
Happy Birthday, Jeff!
Yeah, I agree... Sometimes the CF main message board just has a bit too much hyperbole for me. Not too take away from Kalista's performance at all as it was extremely impressive, its just some of the fanatics take it way too far sometimes.
Happy b-day Jeff!
OT, maybe I'm cynical because I've seen dozens of 14 year olds give their all in competition before, but I have to agree with you. Still, props to Jacinto for getting a shout-out amidst all that over the top emotion.
Happy B-day Jeff!!!
That performance was awesome. Really like the video and the comments, while over the top, do show the support of the community. Also, it can be hard to tell what really moves people or inspires them.
Made up the CF total last night. Since I had never done one before, I just took my 1RM for each exercise as the benchmark.
Squat 235 (PR by 50#)
Press 135 (PR by 10#)
Ddlft 285 (PR by 10#)
Total: 655 Benchmark
Looks like my goal is 700. Really happy with the progress, particularly the squat, which always seemed really low for my weight (180). Also, it is good to know that the met con heavy brooklyn gym is also helping my strength side too.
Happy Birthday Jeff...and awesome picture there as well!
OT,
"Cops, firemen, military, single mothers struggling to feed a family, volunteers working with the underprivileged: heroes. . . . some of the above is just plain disrespectful to folks risking their neck for others on a daily basis."
I recognize among the people quoted members of every single one of those groups.
If that is the case Hari, I would tell them that they are selling themselves way too short! Throw around words too easily and they lose their meaning.
HAPPY bIRTHDAY JEFF.
HAVE A GREAT DAY
I got more worked up by the profligate emotional outpouring (particularly Hari's dedication in transcribing it all) than about the actual performance.
Folks got heart in spades.
I'm afraid I have to bow out of dinner, sorry folks.
Thanks Hari. Is this going to be a slam dunk or could the City turn the permit application down? And if this happens, have you thought about a plan B?
PS: under NYC regulation, what is the max occupancy of the current (temporary) location?
I'm in agreement with OT here. It was an impressive athletic performance but in my opinion the outpouring of emotion seemed slightly over the top.
I think half of it is purely because it's "one of our own". I can't imagine the same situation if main site posted a video of a 14 year old girl triathlete going through hell as she finished her run limping with a sprained ankle.
I just think some of the posters need a little perspective here.
Fred,
Nothing is a slam dunk with the City, but we think it is highly likely.
I believe that the nature of our activities at the temporary location are such that we cannot get legally overcrowded.
I'm in for dinner tonight. When are where again please?
What is tonight's WOD at Manhattan?
HAPPY BBQ JEFF!
OT,
"If that is the case Hari, I would tell them that they are selling themselves way too short! Throw around words too easily and they lose their meaning."
I think it can be argued that conveying hero status on a mother simply for being single and struggling may, in many instances, be overselling.
Happy Birthday Jeff :)
Are you guys emotionless robots?
Even this guy was moved by Kallista's awe-inspiring performance:
http://tommcmahon.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/03/20/cody2.jpg
I want to take a few classes at the Manhattan Box while I'm here for the next couple of weeks.
I'd just be paying for individual classes because I probably won't be here for a full month.
Should I create a Mind Body account or just give you cash when I walk in? How does it work?
What's the workout this evening?
Bad Sam,
"It was an impressive athletic performance but in my opinion the outpouring of emotion seemed slightly over the top. I think half of it is purely because it's 'one of our own'."
I think there is some merit to your point. The people commenting are pretty much similar in that they are able to see in the athlete a level of determination that they wish they had in themselves. (And perhaps those who do have the level of determination are less impressed.) Unlike most spectators at most sporting events, these spectators actually play the sport.
Nonetheless, I find it interesting that the observers find it so easy to see in a fourteen-year-old girl what they wish for in themselves.
Hari said:
"I find it interesting that the observers find it so easy to see in a fourteen-year-old girl what they wish for in themselves."
This is what I like about the video, just like Nasty Girls and the one from Virigina with the ring dips (can't remember the name). Same as the Julie Moss Ironman finish line video or the one that shows two women literally crawling to the finish competing for 3rd and 4th. The only reason this one is different is because this time, the woman in the arena actually won.
I would say that determining who is a "hero" (or who performs heroically in a given situation - an important distinction to me) is just going to be one of those "in the eye of the beholder" matters that is just plain ole subjective. A simple example is trying to tell your friend "No way is that person hot! Now THAT person over there *is* hot!" And that's before Jager gets involved...
On the other hand, I also feel that one's job does not automatically confer some sort of undisputed "hero" status to an individual. If anything, I feel that too many have been willing to blanket large swaths of the population with that title in recent years. Now *individuals* in these groups - and you named many - may be worthy of the title by heroic actions or their sacrifices (greatly or even ultimately), however when one can determine who is a hero by briefly looking at their W-2 form, I think the meaning of the word is also diluted.
Moon,
Well argued!
Reminder: Brooklyn Rest Day Dinner TONIGHT!
Time: 8.30pm
Location: Marlow & Sons in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Marlow & Sons is right on the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge - a couple blocks from the Marcy Ave JMZ, a few more from the Bedford Ave L.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=Marlo+%26+Sons&fb=1&near=Brooklyn,+NY&cd=1&ll=40.712427,-73.960626&spn=0.013727,0.017166&z=16
Attending so far: Allison, Audrey, Avery, Dan Def, Elise, Kurt, Hari, Jeff, Juan, Marisela, Moon, Good Sam (12).
Come out and do the WOD at the Brooklyn Box beforehand (starting at 6)! (See the Brooklyn Location page for how to get there.)
Re, the "Enough with the excuses" link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA
I'm also in for the Rest Day Dinner tonight as well as the WOD out at the BBB. It'll be my first time there. I'm looking forward to the visit (I've heard such great things about the space) and whatever punishment you guys have served up for the WOD!
Who is teaching tonight's seminar and at what time(s)?
so Nike has this training program of sorts
called: nike Sparq
I initially wondered if this was some sorta ripoff of crossfit but I guess its actually nothing like it.
but got me wondering of the effects of some big sports company a propitiating this kinda training. (crossfit)
the commercial is kinda cool though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO1jbmIiYoE
Happy Birthday, Jeff. Being born on this day makes you a hero in my eyes. I want to thank all of you that risked carpal tunnel syndrome typing on the blog: you are the real heroes. I also want to say that I ate a sandwich today that brought a tear to my... it was a hero sandwich.
eye. I meant tear to my eye.
Re: Nike Sparq
Crossfit posted a link to it last month. I'm not sure if they are a ripoff or what. I saw some video of a Sparq trainer that was also a crossfit trainer/affiliate. It's all rather confusing.
Tyler, just sitting here reading your comment about the hero sandwich brought a tear to my eye. Thank you Tyler and all the Hero sandwiches in the world putting themselves out there.
Sure you did, Tyler.
From what I can tell, the exercises on the Sparq site are nothing like Crossfit. The words "functional fitness" come up, but that's to be expected these days. It seems like the usual football/basketball/baseball drills with "special" equipment you have to buy from them.
Happy Birthday Jeff!!!
the sparq stuff is cones, little flags to jump over, medicine balls with handles, ladders...All neon green.
I posted on the page a day or two ago about going to dinner tonight, but wanted to repost today as someone said they didn't see my name on the list. Also, what is the name / location of the place again?
Zach
The dinner location is posted above (like a dozen spots above this one) by Good Sam.
-----
The Nike Sparq stuff involves plyometrics training and more closely involves the stuff I did at BlueStreak. I do wish HQ would look into incorporating more of that sort of agility training in CF programming.
Zach- Good Sam posted it above at 11:58, check it out there.
Because I forgot to earlier- Happy Birthday, Jeff! I can't believe you are older than I am. I thought for sure I had a good 5-6 years on you.
By the way, is that Machu Picchu in the background?
Latest dinner list: Allison, Audrey, Avery, Dan Def, Elise, Kurt, Hari, Jeff, Juan, Marisela, Moon, Good Sam, Zach (13)
(Sorry for leaving you out before Zach -- didn't see your first post!)
That picture is from my trip to Peru last August. It's a photo of Machu Picchu taken from somewhere near the top of Huayna Picchu.
That is really cool, Jeff. I have wanted to go to Peru and hike upto Machu Picchu for a couple of years now, but haven't actually been able to put it together. Hopefully next year.
Allison, you can just drop in and pay the $25/class rate, you don't need to sign up in advance. It is possible to do so if you'd like to, but not required.
Someone asked about the Rest Day Seminar schedule for tonight: Court's teaching the 6 and 7pm classes in Manhattan tonight. It's rowing technique plus optional WOD. I have no idea of what he's planning for a WOD other than that it would involve rowing in some form.
When I taught the lunchtime class today we reviewed proper rowing form and mistakes to avoid and then everyone practiced their technique one at a time. For the optional WOD we did a Man Overboard, where each person had to row 500m on the rower while the others were each at a different station doing AMRAP; when the rower would finish his/her 500m, everyone would switch to the next exercise. We made use of the Fight Gone Bad exercises but also threw in back extensions on the GHD because there were 6 people doing the WOD. It was just one round total but you spent about 2 minutes on each station because rowing 500m can average out to about 2 minutes. The entire WOD took 11 and a half minutes.
Im in too for the dinner if its not too late?
Just saw the video on the main site. That was great, especially since both Jacinto and Gillian made it in. Definitely cool stuff. Moon, any way we can get this as part of the rotation on the DVD that plays at the front of B3?
Not too late for dinner -- I think we're flexible up to 15 people, and you make precisely 15!
If anyone else wants to come -- please let me know and I'll find out from Avery what's possible past 15.
Latest list:
Allison, Apurva, Audrey, Avery, Dan Def, Elise, Kurt, Hari, Jeff, Juan, Marisela, Moon, Good Sam, Tiffany, Zach (15)
did the rowing class with Court,
500m in 1:33, 2000m in 7:34
So did anyone get the new iPhone today? I keep going back and forth on picking it up, just can't make up my mind.
Do *not* whatever you do try to get an iPhone today. It's sold out at every AT&T store, and when I stopped by an Apple store at 6pm, the people at the front of the line had joined the line at 1pm!
sorry couldnt make it to dinner tonight guys. Hope you guys enjoy it and I'll se eyou guys tomorrow.
rowing with court:
500m: 1.46
2000m:7.55
Yeah, Im waiting a few weeks, just haven't quite decided... I mean I can do all the fun crap with my touch and I don't have to pay 75.00 a month. Then again, all in one would be nice and I can never find a decent wifi spot when I need it. Decisions decisions...
My grandmother used to make a variation of the cucumber recipe that was linked to, but she left the cucumbers raw, and added olive oil and balsamic vinegar...so good! Onions and garlic for flavor.
I have an appt at 1130 can I do tomorrows WOD in the beginners class at 10am. Thanks
Kevin,
Given the nature of Saturday's WOD, we should be able to work with you on this. See me when you get there, and I'll try to set you up.
Saturday WOD: 6 Rounds